Related Experiment Videos
Cardiovascular effects of lightning strikes
R Lichtenberg1, D Dries, K Ward
1Loyola University-Chicago, Maywood, Illinois.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|February 1, 1993
Summary
Lightning strikes can cause significant cardiovascular damage, including myocardial injury and dysfunction, which may be severe but often reversible. Early detection through ECG and echocardiography is crucial for managing these effects.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Trauma Medicine
Background:
- Lightning strikes pose diverse cardiovascular risks via direct trauma or autonomic stimulation.
- Potential effects include arrhythmias, myocardial damage, and altered cardiac function.
- Previous reports note ECG abnormalities like prolonged QTc and myocardial necrosis markers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acute and long-term cardiovascular effects of lightning strikes.
- To correlate lightning strike mechanisms with specific cardiac injuries.
- To assess the reversibility of lightning-induced cardiac dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Studied 19 lightning strike victims over two months.
- Utilized serial electrocardiograms (ECG), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) assays, and echocardiography.
- Monitored patients for early, intermediate, and late effects.
Main Results:
- Early ECG findings included ST elevation, prolonged QTc (direct hits), and nonspecific changes.
- Echocardiography revealed ventricular dysfunction and pericardial effusion.
- Intermediate findings showed pericarditis/ischemia; late findings indicated mostly reversible injury.
Conclusions:
- Direct and splash strikes cause myocardial damage, evidenced by enzyme and echocardiographic changes.
- Direct hits uniquely caused echocardiographic abnormalities and prolonged QTc intervals.
- Severe myocardial injury, including ejection fraction < 15%, demonstrated reversibility.